Expansion envelope with solid front and back panels



Jan. 15, 1963 Filed Oct. 12,

I2 A? 4 10 a Z 45.6

I j, a h so W. L. HIERSTEINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Mam"

A TTORNE Y Jan. 15, 1963 w. L. HIERSTEINER 3,073,508

EXPANSION ENVELOPE WITH SOLID FRONT AND BACK PANELS Filed Oct. 12, 1959 Winn, 6 1

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

N lf d/farlee ll/k/sfa/ker ATTORNEY.

,1963 w. L. HIERSTEINER 3,07

EXPANSION ENVELOPE WITH SOLID FRONT AND BACK PANELS Filed Oct. 12. 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 14. INVENTOR:

- ll fl/ferlee flerafemer r tionswhich compose; .th

United States Patent This invention relates to a flatly folded envelope of the expansion type, adapted to befolded from a single blank gusset type adapted to be formed from a single blank andgummed in a continuous rotary envelope making ma-" 7 chine, and which envelope is adapted to be expanded into a boxlike container. 3

Prior to the present invention, envelopes of this character were constructed with one panel thereof having an intermediate vertical seam and a transverse bottom seam crossing the vertical seam, consequently only one panel or face side had a smooth exterior free of seams. It is now desirable to provide a gusset type envelope with closed bottom corners and with the faces of both front and back walls free of such seams.

. The principal object of the present invention is,'therefore, to provide an envelope of the expansion type having a construction capable of being folded and gummed on a rotary envelope making machine, and wherein the side gussets have relatively narrow flaps to cooperate with a bottom flap of ample 'size for providing a solid panel whereby bothfront and rear panels are free of exterior seams.

Other. objects of the invention are to provide a flatly folded envelope of theabove type, wherein the folds of the gussets that constitute the side and bottom walls'are' easily controlled and positioned to provide a fiat bottom boxlike container; to provide a simple connection between the bottomand side gussets to close the-bottom corners of the expanded container; and to provide a structure whereinall the foldsof the 'gussets,-.including, when desired, the

corner closing tabs, are readily foldedfand gummed in accordance with envelope folding practice's ina rotary enevolpe making machine.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter pointed out,'I have provided improved structure,ythe preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: a

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of expansion envelope constructed .in accordance with the presentin vention and in substantially flat: condition.

FIG. 2is a perspectivenview of the envelope expanded between the-flap 24 andjthe bottom section22is definitely to providefa boxlike container, withthe. top and-closnre flap inropen position.

FIG 3 is n; enlarged f agr'nentaryperspective view of one of the-corners iof the-envelope, partially expanded.

FIG.-; 4 is an enlarged horizontal'sectiontaken through one sideof theenvelope on; the line 4:-'-4 .ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of'a portion of the fully 1 opened envelopejas viewed from theinner'side thereof. FIG. 6 i328 plan view of the: blank: from whichithe,

envelope is. formed.

EIGC 7*is a perspective v1eW ..of, tl 1e blankfwiththe secf ded'and showing ,sidegwalls fol @r q l n Sealingtabs 31 ar also'provided within the angle forme 'of the. folds 23 and 10 and iwhichf between extensions p v tact Withthe portionof' the gum ice ' FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a completed envelope produced from the blank shown in 'FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the envelope, the section being taken on -the line 13-513 of:

FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the '1 designates in FIG. a'flatly folded envelope of the:

and gurnmed in a rotary envelope making machine, {and which, when expanded, provides a boxlike container 2 having front and back panels 3-4, side walls 5 -6, and a' bottom 7, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The side walls 56 each comprise'folding sections 8.

and 9. The section 8 is connected to the sides of the panel 3 by folds 10 and the sections 9, are connected to the' sections 8 by reverse'folds 11 so that the sections '8' and 9 fold inwardly to overlie each other between the front and back panels 3 and 4,;as best shown in FIG. 1. The

sections 9 have flaps 12 connected thereto by folds 13, so that they extend inwardly along inner marginal edges of the back panel 4 in sealing contact therewith by stripes of adhesive 14. Extending from the upper transverse edge of the panel 3 in the plane thereof is a top cover 15 which-carries a closure flap 16. The connections of the cover with the panel} and the closure flap '16 with'the top 15' are'defined by parallel scores 17 and 18, respectively.

'- If'desired, the top may-be provided with intermediate scores 19.

The bottom 7 includes a transverse section 20 which is integral with the lower portion of the panel 3 and the connection thereof is definitely defined by a trans; verse score 21; The bottom 7 also includes a trans--v verse section 22that is connected with the section 20 by a fold 23 and connected with the section 22 is a flap" 24 that substantially conforms" with 'the shape of the back panel 3, but may" be'of; less height to facilitate in j isertion of--articles into the; envelope. The connection .defined'by a transverse scorle'25. Thegflap 24'con'sti ends ofithe side flaps MendTsubstantially square;corner gusset formingpor-tions ZIandfZSL'; The portions ZTand E 28 aretraversed diagonally thereofby lines ofweaken ing- 29 and 31] that diverge ifr m he terminalcnds of ;Tthe folds'11t'o the intersection'of the score 21 with'th folds 10 and 13,' (r'espectively,-as best shown inPFIGJj6 pIfQvide 's'ealing' con -stripes 14 thatlextendacross'the tabs 26 and by which Patented Jan; 15, 196 3 substantially "conform the folds 13, as best shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The bottom section 22 and the flap 24 are then folded along the line of fold '23, with the tabs 31 folding therewith over the gum 14 on the sealing tabs 26 and the gum on the side flaps 12, to complete the flatly folded envelope shown in FIG. 1. p

When the envelope shown in FIG. 1 is to be expanded to form the boxlike container of FIG. 2, the panel 4 is moved outwardly away from the panel 3 with the sections 8 and 9 of the side walls hinging outwardly along the lines of fold 10, 11 and 13. Simultaneously, the transverse scores 21 and 25 break into'folds with spreading of the bottom fold 23 to form the flat bottom '7, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. During this expansion, the gusset portions 27 and 28 fold or break on the lines of weakening 29 and 30, whereby the triangular portions onflo'pposite sides of the weakened lines, of fold come into overlying contact with each other, as best shown in FIGSIB, 4-and 5. Simultaneously with forming ofthe folds 23 and 25, the sealing tabs 26 and 31fold along the continuations of the scores 21 and 23, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to complete expansion of the side and bottom walls and foldingof the corner gussetsto-close the bottom corners of the boxlike container, as shownin FIG. 2.

The envelope shown'in FIG. 1 is thus expanded to form the boxlike container of FIG. 2. The articles to be contained therein may be'inserted through the open top of the container and [retained therein by folding the top 15 along the score line 17 to cover the open top of the container, and then the closure flap may be folded along one of the scores 18 and 19 to bring the flap downwardly over the front panel 4. r When the contents to beinserted in theboxlike container are a pack, for example, of cards, it is only necessaryto expand the upper portion of the envelope to permit entrance of the cards between the front and back panels, after which pushing of the cards. into the pocket and pressing them against the fold 23 will result in automatic folding of the corner gussets to provide,

the flat bottom for the .boxlike container as shown in FIG. 2.

The envelopeshown gummed in a rotary envelopernaking machine, and

40, as illustratediin FIG. ,12.

in FIGS. to 14, in lusive, is, also adapted to be formed from a single blank .and-

The structure thus far described is substantially the same as the first described form of the invention, however, the envelope of FIG. 12 differs mainly in the corner portions, as now to be described. I a

It will be noted in FIG. 10 that the portions of the blank which provide the side sections 41 extend substantially to the fold'56, "and that the lines of fold 52 and 54 extend thereacross to provide folds 57 and 58 to cooperate with continuations 59 of the folds 43. to provide substantially square corner gusset forming portions 60. The portions 60 are traversed diagonally thereof by lines of weakening 61 that diverge from the intersections of the fold 52 with the folds 43, as best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Tabs 62 are also provided within the angle formed between the end of the bottom section 53 and the portions 60. The tabs 62 have folds 63 in line withthe folds 59. The bottom edges 64 of the side flaps 45 and side sections 42 terminate at the extensions 57 0f. the fold 52. The tabs 52 have preferably rounding edge portions 65. i

In folding the blank of FIG. 10, the sections41 are folded inwardly in contact with the inner face of the panel 36 for the full length of, the folds 43, 59 and 63. The sections 42 are reversely folded on the folds 44 to overlie the sections 41, after which the side flaps 45 are folded inwardly on the folds 46, as best shown in FIG. 11. When folded thus, the gusset portions 60and tabs 62 are overlying ends of the bottom sections 51 and 53. The bottom section 53 and the flap 55 are then folded along the line of fold 54, with the tabs 62 folding therewith on the folds 58 to complete a flatly folded envelope corresponding with the envelope of FIG. 1. It is apparent that one of the side wall sections of each side wall, for'example, the side wall sections 42, have free lower lope.

edges terminating at the lower edges of the panels 36 and 37 and the adhesive stripes 47 terminate short of the bottom 40. It is also apparent that the single corner gussets 28 and tabs 31 lie flatly and loosely upon the 1 ends of the bottom sections, with the tabs 31 overlying the corner gussets to be contained between the corner gussets and the bottom section 53 when the envelope is flatlyfolded. i i

When the envelope-is to be expanded to form theboio like container ofFlG. 12, the panel 37 is movedoutwardlyv away :from the ,panel 36 with the sections 41 e and 42 of. the side walls 38 and 39 fringing outwardly The side walls 38-49 each comprise folding sections 41 and 42. The sections 41 are connected to the sides of the panel'36 by folds 43 and the sections 42 are connected to the sections 41 byreverse folds 44 so that the sections 41 and 42 fold inwardly to overlie each other between the panels 36 and 37, as best shown in FIG. 1. The sections 42 have flaps 45 connected thereto by folds 46, so that they extend inwardly along-inner marginal edges of, the panel 37 in sealing contact there- 1 with by ,stripes of adhesive 47. Extending from the upper transverse edg'e of-the panel 36 in the plane there f is a top cover 48 which includes a closure flap 49. The

connections of the cover 48 with the panel 36 and ,the

fold points for the closure flap 49-are defined by parallel scores 50. i

The bottom 54 sand connected with the. section, 51fis :a"fla p 55" that V 40 includes a transverse se'ctoin 51- which is integral with the lower port-ion of .the panel 36-an'dthe connection thereof is, definitely defined bya transverse score.52. The bottom 40 alsoiincludes a transverse sec-. tion; 53 1 that is connected withgth esection 51,,byi a; fold.

' When the jsingleicornergussets break on" the; folds 6 1thereoflandprovidqthe ti-iangulapportion:ov r N If: tr lyi'n'g'eachrbtherptheyhold he j'outwardl yffronidhe fgld 59 automatiefoldingeof theicornerr gussets 60 te 'bottornsectro along the lines of folds 43, 44 and 46. Simultaneously, the scores 52 and56 of theblank breakinfolds with spreading-of .thebottom fold 54 toform the fiatbottom 40. During this expansionythe gusset portions 60 fold on the, lines of weakening 61, whereby the triangular portions on opposite sides of the weakened lines of fold 5 61 come into contact with each other, as best shown; in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. The tabs -62 also unfold to'cornplete expansion oftthe'side andbottom walls and folding of the corner gussets to closethe 'bottomcorners of the boxlike'container, as shown in 1 16. 12; In this form of the invention, the tabs'62 are-not sealed, but they remain :flatly against the inner faces of the bottom section 53.

When the contents are to be 'inserted in the box-like container are apack, for example, of cards, the upper and 37, after which pushing of the cards into the pocket and pressure thereof against the side folds Atogetherw'th support-offthe boftonralong the' fold 54 'willfresu h id the; flat bottom for the boxlikecontainer s shownin l lq l z placed by the articles as the articles square out the envelope and for a boxlike container as the articles contact said bottom. t

It is obvious that with envelopes constructed as described, the ordinary bottom sealing flaps are eliminated and that the front panels have a substantially continuous area conforming to the smooth area of the back panels.

Envelopes constructed in the manner described are particularly suitable for production on standard envelope making machines, and the panels of the envelopes may be readily printed over the entire area thereof because of the absence of the bottom and intermediate seams with which gusset type envelopes are usually provided.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flatly folded envelope of the gusset type adapted to be expanded to provide a fiat bottom boxlike container, said envelope comprising substantially rectangular front and back panels overlying each other, side Walls each having edges connected with opposite side edges of the front and back panels by side folds, said side walls each having an intermediate reverse fold with respect to the said side folds to provide inwardly folded side Wall sections one overlying the other between said panels, one of said wall sections of each side wall having its lower edge free and terminating in substantial registry with lower edges of said front and back panels to be completely contained within boundaries of said front and back panels, a bottom connecting the lower edges of said front and back panels by transverse lines of a fold at said connections and having an intermediate transverse fold dividing the bottom into bot-tom sections that extend downwardly from the lower edges of the front and back panels in overlying relation and corresponding with the side wall sections in that they are connected to the same panels, a single corner gusset joining with ends of said other wall section of each side wall and with the corresponding bottom section on folds forming continuations of said transverse bottom and the side folds, said single corner gussets each having a diagonal line of fold, and tabs connected with the single corner gussets on folds forming continuations of said intermediate bottom fold and with ends of said other bottom section on continuations of the last mentioned side folds, said single corner gussets lying flatly and loosely upon the ends of the said one bottom section in plane with the side wall section to which they are connected and said tabs being contained between the single corner gussets and the ends of the said other bottom section, said front and back panels being adapted to move apart on the side folds as articles are inserted and the sections of the bottom breaking on said transverse folds to flatten the bottom of the envelope, the single corner gussets breaking on the diagonal folds thereof and providing triangular portions overlying each other to hold the side walls from bulging outwardly from the folds at the ends of the bottom sections while the free lower edges of the said one section of the side walls cooperate with said tabs to provide slit-like openings therebetween for escape of air displaced by the articles as the articles square out the envelope and form a boxlike container as the articles contact said bottom, said corner gussets traversing only one-half the width of the gusseted bottom and being the only corner gussets employed at said bottom thereby providing said slit-like openings at the other one-half of said bottom.

2. A flatly folded envelope of the gusset type adapted to be expanded to provide a flat bottom boxlike container, said envelope comprising substantially rectangular front and back panels overlying each other, side walls each having one edge connected with a side edge of one of the panels by a side fold, side flaps connected with the other side edges of the side walls by side folds and lapping marginal edges of the other panel, adhesive between said side flaps and said marginal edges, each of said side walls having an intermediate reverse fold with respect to the said side folds to provide inwardly' folded side wall sections one overlying the other between said one panel and the side flaps, a bottom connecting the lower edges of said panels by transverse folds at said connections, one of said side Wall sections of each side wall and side flap having lower edges terminating at the lower edges of the panels and the adhesive terminating short of said bottom, said bottom having an intermediate transverse fold dividing the bottom into bottom sections that extend downwardly from the lower edges of the front and back panels in overlying relation and corresponding with the side wall sections in that they are connected to the same panels, a single corner gusset joining with ends of said other wall section of each side wall and with the corresponding bottom section by folds forming continuations of said transverse bottom and the side folds, said single corner gussets each having a diagonal line of fold, and tabs connected with the single corner gussets on folds forming continuations of said intermediate bottom fold and with ends of said other bottom section on continuations of the last mentioned side folds, said single corner gussets lying flatly and loosely upon the ends of the bottom section in plane With the side wall section to which they are connected and said tabs being contained between the single corner gussets and the ends of the said other bottom section, said front and back panels being adapted to move apart on the side folds as articles are inserted and the sections of the bottom breaking on said transverse folds to flatten the bottom of the envelope, the single corner gussets breaking on the diagonal folds thereof to provide triangular portions overlying each other to hold the side walls from bulging outwardly from the folds at the ends of the bottom sections while said lower edges of said one section of each side wall cooperate with the tabs to provide slit-like openings therebetween for escape of air displaced by the articles as the articles square out the envelope and form a boxlike container as the articles contact said bottom, said corner gussets traversing only one-half the width of the gusseted bottom and being the only corner gussets employed at said bottom thereby providing said slit-like openings at the other one-half of said bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 173,608 Felbel Feb. 15, 1876 1,478,838 Reifsnyder Dec. 25, 1923 2,631,772 Hiersteiner Mar. 17, 1953 2,703,198 Arneson Mar. 1, 1955 2,945,617 Normandin July 19, 1960 

1. A FLATLY FOLDED ENVELOPE OF THE GUSSET TYPES ADAPTED TO BE EXPANDED TO PROVIDE A FLAT BOTTOM BOXLIKE CONTAINER, SAID ENVELOPE COMPRISING SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR FRONT AND BACK PANELS OVERLYING EACH OTHER, SIDE WALLS EACH HAVING EDGES CONNECTED WITH OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES OF THE FRONT AND BACK PANELS BY SIDE FOLDS, SAID SIDE WALLS EACH HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE REVERSE FOLD WITH RESPECT TO THE SAID SIDE FOLDS TO PROVIDE INWARDLY FOLDED SIDE WALL SECTIONS ONE OVERLYING THE OTHER BETWEEN SAID PANELS, ONE OF SAID WALL SECTIONS OF EACH SIDE WALL HAVING ITS LOWER EDGE FREE AND TERMINATING IN SUBSTANTIAL REGISTRY WITH LOWER EDGES OF SAID FRONT AND BACK PANELS TO BE COMPLETELY CONTAINED WITHIN BOUNDARIES OF SAID FRONT AND BACK PANELS, A BOTTOM CONNECTING THE LOWER EDGES OF SAID FRONT AND BACK PANELS BY TRANSVERSE LINES OF A FOLD AT SAID CONNECTIONS AND HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE TRANSVERSE FOLD DIVIDING THE BOTTOM INTO BOTTOM SECTIONS THAT EXTEND DOWNWARDLY FROM THE LOWER EDGES OF THE FRONT AND BACK PANELS IN OVERLYING RELATION AND CORRESPONDING WITH THE SIDE WALL SECTIONS IN THAT THEY ARE CONNECTED TO THE SAME PANELS, A SINGLE CORNER GUSSET JOINING WITH ENDS OF SAID OTHER WALL SECTION OF EACH SIDE WALL AND WITH THE CORRESPONDING BOTTOM SECTION OF FOLDS FORMING CONTINUATIONS OF SAID TRANSVERSE BOTTOM AND THE SIDE FOLDS, SAID SINGLE CORNER GUSSETS EACH HAVING A DIAGONAL LINE OF FOLD, AND TABS CONNECTED WITH THE SINGLE CORNER GUSSETS ON FOLDS FORMING CONTINUATION OF SAID INTERMEDIATE BOTTOM FOLD AND WITH ENDS OF SAID OTHER BOTTOM SECTION ON CONTINUATIONS OF THE LAST MENTIONED SIDE FOLDS, SAID SINGLE CORNER GUSSETS LYING FLATLY AND LOOSELY UPON THE ENDS OF THE SAID ONE BOTTOM SECTION IN PLANE WITH THE SIDE WALL SECTION TO WHICH THEY ARE CONNECTED AND SAID TABS BEING CONTAINED BETWEEN THE SINGLE CORNER GUSSETS AND THE ENDS OF THE SAID OTHER BOTTOM SECTION, SAID FRONT AND BACK PANELS BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE APART ON THE SIDE FOLDS AS ARTICLES ARE INSERTED AND THE SECTIONS OF THE BOTTOM BREAKING ON SAID TRANSVERSE FOLDS TO FLATTEN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENVELOPE, THE SINGLE CORNER GUSSETS BREAKING ON THE DIAGONAL FOLDS THEREOF AND PROVIDING TRIANGULAR PORTIONS OVERLYING EACH OTHER TO HOLD THE SIDE WALLS FROM BULGING OUTWARDLY FROM THE FOLDS AT THE ENDS OF THE BOTTOM SECTIONS WHILE THE FREE LOWER EDGES OF THE SAID ONE SECTION OF THE SIDE WALLS COOPERATE WITH SAID TABS TO PROVIDE SLIT-LIKE OPENINGS THEREBETWEEN FOR ESCAPE OF AIR DISPLACED BY THE ARTICLES AS THE ARTICLES SQUARE OUT THE ENVELOPE AND FORM A BOXLIKE CONTAINER AS THE ARTICLES CONTACT SAID BOTTOM, SAID CORNER GUSSETS TRAVERSING ONLY ONE-HALF THE WIDTH OF THE GUSSETED BOTTOM AND BEING THE ONLY CORNER GUSSETS EMPLOYED AT SAID BOTTOM THEREBY PROVIDING SAID SLIT-LIKE OPENINGS AT THE OTHER ONE-HALF OF SAID BOTTOM. 